£>atvtU   performances 


AT   THE 

DEDICATION 

OF    THE 


Baptift  Meeting-Houfe  in  Charleftown, 

Mat  12,  1 80 1. 


imam-Tim 


CONSISTING    OF 

An  INTRODUCTORY  ADDRESS, 

BY  JEDIDIAH  MORSE,  D.  D. 

A     SERMON,     adapted    to  the  Occafion, 

BY    SAMUEL    STILLMAN,    D.  D. 

AND    AN 

ADDRESS  on  the  Recognition  of  the  Church, 

BY  THOMAS  BALDWIN,  A.M* 


boston: 

PRINTED  BY  MANNING  &  LORING,  NO.  2,  CORNHILL. 


*^&> 


CharlestowNj  May  12,  1801. 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Churchy — 

Voted  unanimoufly,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Church 
be  prefented  to  the  Reverend  Gentlemen  who  officiated  at 
the  Dedication  of  our  Houie  of  Worfhip,  for  their  very 
acceptable  fervices,  and  that  copies  be  requefted  for  the 
prefs. 


k 


Older  of  ^eiformance* \ 


I.     By  the  Rev.  Jedidiah  Morse,  d.  d. 
Read  the  24th  Pfalm — The  earth  is  the  Lord's,  &c. 
ADDRESS  explanatory  of  the  occafion. 
PRAYER. 

Read  2  Chronicles,  chap.  vi.  verfes  12,  14,  18 — 42. 
DEDICATORY  POEM— Sung. 

II.    By  the  Rev.  Mr.  Grafton,  of  Newton. 
DEDICATION  PRAYER. 


III.     Read  and  Sung  DEDICATORY  HYMN. 

IV.     By  the  Rev.  Samuel  Stillman,  d.  d. 
A  SERMON  on  Brotherly  Love  and  Chriftian  Fellowfhip, 
from   133d  Pfalm,  ift  verfe — Behold,  how  goody  and  how 
pleafanty   tsfc. 

V.  By  the  Rev.  Thomas  Baldwin,  a.  if. 

The  RECOGNITION  of  the  CHURCH— An  ADDRESS 
— The  Fellowfhip  of  Sifter  Churches  given. 

Concluding  PRAYER,  and  finging  13 2d  Pfalm— Arife,  0 
K™g  °f  grace ■,  arife,  &V. 

VI.  Sung  an  ANTHEM  from  48th  Pfalm. 
VII.     BENEDICTION  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Stillman. 


ADDRESS 

EXPLANATORY    OF    THE    OCCASION. 

BT  JEDIDIAH   MORSB,   D.  D. 

VVE  are  affemblcd,  Chriftian  brethren  and 
friends,  for  no  trivial  or  novel  purpofe.  Our  buf- 
inefs  is  ferious  and  important,  and  calculated  to 
intereft  all  the  bell  feelings  of  our  hearts.  We 
have  come  to  prefent  ourfelves  before  that  God, 
whom  the  heaven,  and  the  heaven  of  heavens  can- 
not contain — but  who  yet  condefcendeth  to  dwell 
with  men  on  the  earth,  and  to  confecrate  this  houfe 
erected  for  Him. 

In  performing  this  facred  fervice,  we  do  but  im- 
itate the  practice  of  holy  and  devout  men,  in  all 
pad  ages  of  the  world,  who,  excited  either  by  the 
exprefs  command  of  God,  or  by  the  fecret  intima- 
tions of  his  Holy  Spirit,  and  acting,  at  the  fame 
time,  agreeably  to  the  dictates  of  right  reafon,  and 
from  a  regard  to  the  decency  and  fitnefs  of  things, 
have  built  houfes  for  the  public  worlhip  of  God. 
And  with  a  view  to  imprefs  the  minds  of  the 
worfliippers  with  the  greater  reverence  of  the  Di- 
vine Majefty,  and  to  fill  them  with  devotion  and 
humility,  it  has  been  a  pious  cuftom,  in  a  formal 
and  religious  manner,  to  feparate  thefe  places  for 
facred  ufes.  Of  thefe  religious  tranfaclions,  God, 
at  fundry  times,  and  in  various  ways,  has  mani- 
fefted  his  divine  approbation.  When  Solomon 
had  clofed  his  admirable  prayer  at  the  dedication 
of  the  temple,  immediately  «  the  fire  came  down 

from 


[   «   3 

from  heaven,  and  confumed  the  burnt-ofFerinp- 
and  the  facrifices  ;  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord 
filled  the  houfe." 

When  we  review  the  circumftances  which  have 
attended  the  erection  of  this  houfe  ;  and  confider, 
that  the  defign  originated  in  a  Society  of  Chrif- 
tian  brethren,  of  different  denominations,  affem- 
bled  for  prayer  and  religious  improvement ;  that 
party  and  fectarian  views  and  feelings  appear  to 
have  had  no  part  or  lot  in  this  bufinefs  ;  that  it 
has  been  the  honeft  and  fincere  aim  of  thofe  con- 
cerned, to  furnifh  the  means  of  religious  inftruc- 
tion,  to  a  large  portion  'of  the  inhabitants  of  this 
increafing  town,  who  could  not  otherwife  be  con- 
veniently accommodated,  and  thus  to  advance 
the  important  interefts  of  religion  and  morality  : 
When  we  confider,  alfo,  that  the  plan,  which  feems 
to  have  been  intimated  with  fatisfactory  clearnefs 
from  heaven,  has  been  profecuted,  hitherto,  with- 
out accident  or  obftruction,  in  perfect  harmony 
with  the  Congregational  Society  in  this  place,  and 
with  unufual  celerity  and  fuccefs,  we  cannot  en- 
tertain a  doubt,  but  that  the  God  of  order,  of 
peace  and  love  will  fmile  propitioufly  on  us,  and 
grant  his  divine  approbation  of  our  prefent  pur- 
pofe  of  fetting  apart  this  convenient  houfe,  beau- 
tiful for  iituation,  as  the  temple  on  the  holy  hill 
of  Zion,  for  the  performance  of  the  various  fer- 
vices  of  public,  religious  and  fecial  worihip. 

With  humble  confidence,  then,  let  us,  Chriftian 
brethren  and  friends,  in  the  name  of  Jems  Chrift, 
unitedly  and  fervently  afk  his  divine  prefence  with 
ttS,  md  his  bleffing  ou  this  our  undertaking. 


DISCOURSE, 


DELIVERED  AT  THE   OPENING 


OF      THE 


jfteto  Baptift  ^cetins^oufc 


in   CHARLESTOWN^ 


May  i-2,  i8oi. 


««w«««^®^^^«^ 


By  SAMUEL  STILLMAN,  d.  d, 


boston: 

MANNING   &   LORING. 


L 


A 


DEDICATION    SERMON, 


Pfalm  cxxxiii.  I* 


BEHOLD,  HOW  GOOD,  AND   HOW  PLEASANT  IT  IS,  FOP. 
BRETHREN    TO   DWELL    TOGETHER    IN    UNITT. 

AMONG  a  great  variety  of  fubjects  that  mighty 
with  propriety,  be  coniidered,  at  the  open- 
ing of  a  new  place  for  public  worfhip,  the  preacher 
gives  the  preference  to  this,  becaufe  moft  expref- 
five  of  the  circumftances  that  have  brought  us  to- 
gether. This  neat  and  convenient  houfe  did  not 
originate  in  angry  controverfy,  in  fondnefs  for 
feparation,  nor  even  in  difference  of  religious  opin- 
ions ;  but  in  a  fincere  delire  to  promote  the  great 
interefts  of  religion  and  morality,  as  a  com- 
mon caufe. 


Many  families  in  the  town,  it  was  found,  could 
not  be  accommodated  with  pews  in  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Morse's  meeting-houfe  :  whence  the  inquiry  arofe, 
whether  it  was  not  duty  to  endeavour  to  build 
another  place  for  public  worfhip.  Chriftians  of 
B  different 


[      io     ] 

different  denominations  were  engaged  in  the  in- 
quiry,  and  were  of  one  mind  as  to  the  anfwer. 
And  as  there  was  a  confiderable  number  of  fami- 
lies of  the  Baptift  denomination,  of  refpectability 
and  intereft  in  the  town,  who  were  obliged  to  go 
to  Bofton  for  a  complete  enjoyment  of  their  priv- 
ileges, it  was  unanimoufly  thought  beft,  that  the 
houfe  to  be  built  mould  be  for  that  denomination. 
This  was  the  voice  of  all.     Not  one  diffentient  ; 
not  one  moment's  controverfy  about  it.     As  far 
as  my  knowledge  extends,  I  may  fafely  fay,  This 
is  an  unexampled  inftance  of  candour  and  affection 
among  ChrifHans  of  different  denominations.    And 
I  embrace  this  public  opportunity  of  declaring,  that 
my  worthy  and  reverend  brother,  the  minifter  of 
this  town,  with  whom  I  have  enjoyed  an  agreea- 
ble acquaintance  from  his  firft  fettlement  in  it  to 
the  prefent  time,  has  allured  me  of  his  hearty  con- 
currence in  this  matter  ;  believing  that  it  will  ter- 
minate in  the  more  general  diffufion  of  religious 
knowledge,  and  the  promotion  of  the  beft  inter- 
efts  of  the  town  -,    therefore  takes  a  part  in  the 
public  fervices  of  this  day.     And  what  increafes 
the  pleafure  of  the  occafion  is,  that  from  the  com- 
mencement of  this  bufinefs  to   the  prefent  mo- 
ment, not  a  fingle  circumftance  relative  to  it  has 
happened,  to  interrupt  the  affection  and  harmony 
of  the  town.     May  this  houfe,  which  we  this  day 
dedicate  to  God,  remain  a  pleafing  monument  of 
mutual   candour   among    Chriftians   of  different 
opinions,  till  time  fhall  be  no  more.     Here  may 
the  gofpel  be  preached  in  its  purity  ;   and  thou- 
fands  of  redeemed  finners,  at  the  laft  great  day, 

rife 


[  II  ] 

rife  up  and  call  you  bleffed,  through  whofe  exer- 
tions this  place  of  public  worfhip  hath  been  erect- 
ed. Let  him  who  paffeth  by  to  worfhip,  and  all 
who  mall  come  up  to  this  houfe  of  the  Lord,  con- 
tinually fay,  Behold,  how  good  and  pleafant  it  is,  for 
brethren  to  dwell  together  in  unity. 

I  will  not  take  up  your  time  with  an  inquiry 
concerning  the  occafion  of  this  Pfalm,  about  which 
there  are  various  opinions  ;  but  pafs  at  once, 

I.  To  confider  who  are  intended  by  brethren. 

II.  Explain  what  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell  to* 
gether  in  unity. 

III.  Finally,  make  it  appear  that  this  is  good 
and  pleafant. 

1.  We  are  firft  to  afcertain  the  character  of 
brethren. 

i.  All  men  are  brethren,  confidered  as  defend- 
ants from  one  common  parent.  God,  fays  Paul, 
hath  made  of  one  blood  all  nations,  to  dwell  on  all  the 
face  of  the  earth.  They  were  created  by  the  fame 
almighty  hand,  out  of  one  common  lump  of  mat- 
ter ;  and  therefore  are  nearly  allied. 

2.  They  are  brethren  inafmuch  as  they  all  {land 
in  the  fame  relation  to  the  firft  Adam,  as  a  cove- 
nant head  :  hence  they  ihare  with  him  in  the  fad 
effects  of  his  apoftacy.  In  Adam,  fays  an  apoftle, 
all  die  :  that  is,  by  virtue  of  their  relation  to  him, 
they  become  mortal.     By  man  fin  entered  into  the 

world, 


[        12       ] 

world,  and  death  by  fin  ;  and  thus  death  pajfed  upon 
all  men,  for  that  all  have  finned.  In  another  place 
we  are  told,  that  by  the  difobedience  cf  one,  many  are 
made  /inner  s  :  not  only  become  mortal,  but  are  made 
fniners.  Thefe  paflages,  I  conceive,  plainly  teach 
us,  that  Adam  was  the  covenant  head  of  all  man- 
kind ;  who  are  in  the  fame  melancholy  fituation 
of  fin  and  death.  They  have  all  finned  and  come 
Ihort  of  the  glory  of  God.  One  has  no  more  to 
boaft  of  than  another.  All  are  guilty,  though  not 
equally  fo,  and  in  a  condition  of  moral  inability. 
If  they  are  ever  faved  then,  they  will  all  be  indebu 
ed  to  grace  alone, 

3.  But  there  is  a  more  important  fenfe  in  which 
this  appellation  is  ufed  in  the  facred  fcriptures,  and 
in  which  we  ufe  it  on  the  prefent  occafion,  to  de- 
note real  believers.  It  was  a  term  of  frequent  ufe 
among  the  apoflles  and  primitive  Chriftians.  Paul 
directs  his  epiftle  to  the  Coloflians,  To  the  faints  and 
faithful  brethren  in  Christ.  And  when  he  difmiffed 
Onefimus,  after  his  convernon,  to  his  matter  Phile- 
mon, he  exhorts  him  to  "  receive  him  not  now  as 
a  fervant,  but  above  a  fervant,  a  brother  beloved." 
With  this  term,  you  are  fenlible,  the  ancient 
Chriftians  addreffed  each  other,  as  a  mark  of  their 
mutual  affection  and  attachment.  With  what  pro- 
priety they  did  fo,  will  appear  in  the  following  ob« 
fervations. 

1  ft,  Believers  are  brethren  in  this  appropriate 
fenfe,  becaufe  they  are  the  objects  of  the  fame 
divine  love.     The  Lord  has  his  own  people  among 

all 


[     *3    ] 

all  the  nations  of  the  earth,  and  among  all  the  dif- 
ferent clafles  of  Chriftiaris. 

The  Jews  thought  that  they  only  were  the  ob- 
jects of  the  love  of  God  ;  and  of  courfe,  treated 
the  Gentiles  as  aliens.  But  when  Christ  came, 
he  difcouraged  this  injurious  diftinction,  by  (hew- 
ing mercy  to  the  Gentiles,  and  by  fending  his 
apofiles  to  preach  the  gofpel  to  all  nations.  They 
alio  plainly  taught,  that  in  Christ  Jesus  there 
was  neither  Greek  nor  Jew,  barbarian,  Scythian, 
bond  nor  free  ;  but  that  Christ  was  all,  and  in  all : 
and  that  in  every  nation,  he  that  feareth  God,  and 
worketh  righteoufnefs,  is  accepted  of  him. 

The  fame  contracted  fpirit  has  been  obferved  in 
too  many  profefling  Chriftians,  who  are  difpofed 
to  exclude  from  the  divine  affection,  thofe  who 
differ  from  them  even  in  thofe  things  that  are  not 
efTential  to  falvation.  This  temper  ought  to  be 
refilled,  as  being  inconiiftent  with  the  truth  of 
things,  and  calculated  to  deftroy  that  charity  which 
is  the  bond  of  perfectnefs.  They  who  are  the  ob- 
jects of  the  fame  love  of  God,  ought  to  love  one 
another. 

2dly,  Believers  are  brethren,  becaufe  they  all 
belong  to.  the  fame  bleffed  family.  By  adoption  they 
become  heirs  of  God,  and  joint  heirs  with  Jesus 
Christ.  By  the  act  of  adoption,  an  orphan  or 
ftranger  becomes  an  heir  as  certainly  as  if  he  had 
been  fo  born.  So  it  is  in  this  cafe.  Becaufe  they 
ctre  fons  by  adoption,  God  fends  forth  the  Spirit  of  his 
Son  into  their  hearts,  crying,  Abba,  Father,     And  this 

is 


[      14     ] 

is  the  cafe  with  all  real  believers.  They  were  fons 
in  the  divine  mind  prior  to  their  receiving  the 
Spirit  of  adoption  ;  and  becaufe  they  were  fo,  God 
fent  forth  the  Spirit  of  his  Son  into  their  hearts, 
to  afcertain  their  fonfhip,  or  to  feal  them  to  the 
day  oi  redemption. 

In  this  {^nfc,  then,  all  believers,  amidft  their  va- 
rious differences,  are  brethren. 

3aly,  They  are  fo,  like  wife,  becaufe  they  are  re- 
deemed by  the  fame  precious  blood  of  Christ,  as  of  a 
Lamb  without  blemifh,  and  without  fpot.  One 
price  was  paid  for  all  the  heirs  of  promife  :  whence 
it  is  plain,  that  they  were  equally  dear  to  the  Son  of 
God,  and  ought  to  be  dear  to  one  another.  What 
an  argument  is  this,  for  love  to  the  brethren  ! 
which  John  enforces  with  peculiar  warmth  :  If 
God  fo  loved  us,  we  ought  alfo  to  love  one  another.  He 
carries  it  fo  far  as  to  fay,  that  we  ought  to  die  for 
the  brethren,  if  neceifary.  Will  you,  Chriftians, 
be  oppofed  to,  or  not  love  them  for  whom  Christ 
died  ?  Remember  that  they  are  precious  to  him 
as  the  apple  of  his  eye.  And  can  you  ftand  aloof 
from  each  other,  bite  and  devour  one  another  ? 
God  forbid.  Rather,  let  brotherly  love  continue 
and  increafe,  till  you  fhall  reach  that  glorious  world, 
where  you  fhall  fee  eye  to  eye. 

4thly,  Believers  are  brethren,  becaufe  they  have 
been  called  out  of  darknefs  into  marvellous  light  by  the 
fame  Holy  Spirit,  He  is  the  life  and  fource  of  all 
real  religion  in  the  hearts  of  finners.  It  is  he  only 
who  can  (lop  the  fmner  in  his  dangerous  career  of 

fin, 


[     '5    ] 

fin,  by  convincing  him  of  his  total  depravity,  his 
guilt  and  danger  ;  and  thus  oblige  him  to  cry, 
Whatjhall  I  do  to  be  J lived  ?  By  him  he  is  enabled 
to  believe  in  Christ,  as  the  end  of  the  law  for 
risrhteoufnefs.  He  wounds,  and  he  heals.  He 
kills,  and  he  makes  alive.  He  is  a  quickening 
Spirit.  He  fearcheth  all  things,  yea,  the  deep 
things  of  God.  This  change  he  fometimes  pro- 
duces in  the  hearts  of  finners,  in  the  mod  unex- 
pected and  furprifmg  manner,  even  when  they  have 
not  enjoyed  the  ufual  means.  But  whatever  diver- 
fity  there  may  be  in  the  circumftances  that  attend 
this  change,  the  change  itfelf  is  the  fame  in  all. 
Which  naturally  leads  me  to  fay,  that  all  real  be- 
lievers are  brethren,  becaufe, 

5thly,  They  know  the  fame  things,  drink  into  the 
fame  Spirit,  and  are  all  one  in  Christ  Jesus. 
Among  true  Chriftians  of  all  ages,  and  of  all  na- 
tions, there  is,  if  I  may  be  allowed  the  expreflion, 
the  mod  ftriking  family  likenefs  ;  which  confifts 
in  the  following  particulars  :  They  are  con- 
vinced of  their  entire  depravity,  of  their  infinite 
guilt  and  unworthinefs,  of  the  juftice  of  God  in 
their  eternal  condemnation.  They  efteem  Christ 
precious,,  and  fly  to  him  alone  for  falvation. 
They  renounce  all  confidence  in  the  flem,  and 
give  him  all  the  glory  of  redemption.  They 
hate  fin  for  its  own  fake.  They  groan  under 
the  body  of  fin,  and  pant  after  perfect  holi- 
nefs.  They  are  careful  to  maintain  good  works, 
are  attached  to  the  caufe  of  Christ,  and  ftudy  to 
promote  it.     They  love  thofe  who  bear  the  image 

of 


[     *6     ] 

ot  Christ,  whether  rich  or  poor,  bond  or  free. 
In  a  word,  their  all-prevailing  defire  is,  that  Christ 
may  be  magnified  in  them,  whether  it  be  by  life 
or  by  death.  This  being  the  cafe,  furely  they  are 
brethren,  and  formed  by  divine  grace  for  the  fame 
enjoyments.     I  add, 

6thly,  That  they  arc  heirs  of,  and  flmll  forever  e?i- 
joy,  the  fame  heaven.  Jesus  Christ  is  gone  to  pre- 
pare maniions  for  them  ;  and  by  the  various  dif* 
penfations  of  his  providence,  his  word  and  Spirit, 
he  makes  them  meet  to  be  partakers  of  the  in- 
heritance of  the  faints  in  light.  They  are,  then, 
emphatically  brethren,  being  th<*  objects  of  the 
lame  everlafting  love  of  God  ;  adopted  into  the 
fame  heavenly  family  ;  redeemed  by  the  fame  pre- 
cious blood  of  Christ  \  are  called  by  the  fame  Spirit, 
out  of  darknefs,  into  the  light  of  the  gofpel  ;  ex- 
perience the  fame  things  in  nature,  though  not  in 
decree  ;  and  are  to  dwell  together  forever  in  the 
fame  heaven  ;  there  to  love  and  adore  the  fame 
object,  who  appears  in  the  midft  of  the  throne  as 
a  Lamb  that  had  been  ilain. 

II.    We  fhall  now  proceed  to  fliew  what  is  to  be 

underftood  by  brethren  dwelling  together  in  unity. 

There  is  a  ftrange  kind  of  charity,  which  fome 
people  plead  for,  that  has  a  tendency  to  annihilate 
the  diltinction  between  truth  and  error  ;  or,  to 
make  it  a  matter  of  indifference,  which  a  man 
believes.  We  have  nothing  to  do,  fay  they,  with 
a  man's  creed,  only  with  his  conduct.  No  matter 
what  his  faith  is,  provided  his  life  be  good. 

Do 


t  v  n  , 

Bo  thcic  men  confider  to  what  lengths  tliis  priii 
riple  will  naturally  lead  us,  if  admitted  ?  We  may 
embrace  the  moil  oppofite  and  contradictory  opin- 
ions. The  queftion  is  not,  whether  a  man  believe 
the  doctrines  of  Christ  or  of  Mahomet,  but  wheth- 
er his  life  be  good.  It  is  therefore  a  matter  of  in* 
difference,  whether  he  be  a  difciple  of  Christ^  or  of 
Mahomet.  This  kind  of  charity,  if  followed,  will 
land  us  in  deifm,  where,  no  doubt,  it  originated. 
But  thofe  of  you,  who  believe  Chriflianity  to  be  a 
divine  religion,  will  give  it  your  moft  decided  neg- 
ative>  becaufe  falfe  as  a  principle,  and  fatal  in  its 
influence. 

There  are  others  who  profefs  to  believe  the  gof- 
pel,  yet  deny  what  a  great  number  of  Chriftians^ 
in  all  ages  of  the  church  of  Christ,  have  placed 
among  its  moft  effential  doctrines.  Of  this  clafs 
are  they  who  deny  the  true  and  proper  Deity 
of  Jesus  Christ,  and  affirm  that  his  blood  is  of 
no  more  value  to  expiate  guilt,  than  the  blood  of 
any  other  man.  I  aik,  my  brethren,  how  a  man, 
who  believes  Jesus  Christ  to  be  very  and  eter- 
nal God,  and  that  there  is  no  redemption  but 
through  his  atoning  blood,  can  dwell  together  in 
unity  with  him,  who  denies  the  Lord  who  bought 
him  ?  It  is  impoflible  in  the  nature  of  things,  be- 
caufe their  ideas  of  the  character  and  work  of 
Christ  are  infinitely  different.  This  difference 
will  force  itfelf  upon  them  in  their  folemn  acts  of 
prayer  and  praife  ;  for  one  will  afcribe  divine  hon- 
ours to  the  Son  of  God  ;  the  other  will  call  this 
idolatry.  If  they  are  engaged  in  the  work  of  the 
miniftry,  it  will  influence  their  public  preaching* 
C  One 


. 


[    is    ] 

One  will  exalt  Christ  as  a  divine  perfon,  God 
ir.anifeft  in  the  flefli  :  the  other  will  lay  many- 
good  things  of  him  as  a  man,  a  great  prophet,  a 
teacher  fent  from  God,  a  fuper-angelic  being,  but 
not  divine.  One  will  infift  on  the  atonement  of 
Christ  as  the  wily  fure  foundation  of  a  Tinner's 
hope:  t  h  e  other  im  to  expect  f or  g  t  ve  n  efs 

;re  mercy  of  Goo,  and  the  iinccrity  of 
ntance,  without  an  atonement.     I  might 
trace  stice  in  many  other  inftances  ;   but 

enough  has  been  faid  to  mew,  that  they  cannot 
k  together  in  unity,  while  they  thus  differ  about 
the  very  efTence  of  Chriftianity. 


I  alk  again,  How  can  he,  who  has  a  tender  con- 
cern for  the  honour  of  Christ  as  an  Almighty 
Saviour,  connive  at  an  error  of  fuch  magnitude, 
which,  in  his  view,  robs  him  of  his  efiential  dig- 
nity, and  deftroys  the  foundation  of  a  Tinner's  hope 
of  forgivenefs  I  For  if  Jesus  Christ  be  not  truly 
and  properly  God,  our  profpects  of  pardon  through 
his  one  offering  for  fins  are  diiappointed,  and  we 
muft  fcek  fome  other  method  of  lalvation  :  And 
the  great  body  of  our  godly  reformers,  with  the 
noble  army  of  pious  martyrs,  who  fealed  their  re- 
ligion with  their  blood,  were  idolaters,  and  were 
left  to  die  in  a  moft  important  error  :  for  they  be- 
lieved Jesus  Christ  was  truly  God  ;  and  as  fuch, 
paid  him  divine  honours.  And  not  only  they,  but 
a  crowd  of  modern  Chriftians  of  eminent  charac- 
ter, have  left  the  world  in  the  lame  ientiments.* 

At 

*   The  late  Dr.  Matiikr,  of  Lofton,  bore  his  dying  teftimony  to  the 
truth   of  our  Lord'k  divinity,  faying  to  me,  a  little  before  hi: 
will  never  trufb  my  foul  but  with  an  Almighty  Sayiouk." 


\ 


C    19    ] 

At  the  fame  time,  give  me  leave  to  fay,  in  the 
words   of  the  excellent  Dr.  Abba  die,  with  little 

alteration,    "  I  diftinguifli between  the  per- 

fons  of  our  adverfaries,  and  the  caufe  which  they 
plead.  Towards  the  former,  I  have  all  the  fen- 
timents  of  love  and  companion,  which  are  due  to 
my  erring  fellow-mortals.  I  admire  the  parts,  the 
learning,  and  the  gifts,  which  God  has  bellowed 
on  fome  of  them.  And  though  they  do  manifeft 
violence  to  the  fcriptures,  in  my  view,  I  would 
not  accufe  them  of  fpeaking  contrary  to  their  own 

light. —As  to  their  caufe,  I  ought  not  to  be 

cenfured  for  endeavouring  to  reprefent  it  in  its 
own  colours,  in  all  that  deformity  which  neceflari- 
ly  attends  an  hypothecs,  that  is  contrary  to  divine 
revelation  and  the  fpirit  of  true  religion.  This  is 
my  duty,  and  one  end  of  my  miniflry."*  Efpe- 
cially,  my  brethren,  at  my  time  of  life.  I  am  not 
a  young  man,  but  am  finifhing  my  miniflry,  and 
feel  myfelf  under  the  mod  folemn  obligations 
to  bear  my  faithful,  and,  for  aught  I  know,  lafl 
teflimony,  to  the  glories  of  Immanuel,  God  with 
us  ;  through  whom  alone  I  expect  everlailing  life, 

The  right  of  private  judgment  of  thefe  our  mis- 
taken friends,  is  undeniable.  If,  in  the  exercife  of 
it,  they  embrace  the  greateft  errors,  they  muft  an- 
fwer  for  it.  To  their  own  Mailer  they  fland 
or  fall. 

Our  heart's  defire,  however,  and  prayer  to  God, 
is,  that  they  may  be  brought  to  embrace  the  whole 
truth  as  it  refpects  Jesus  Christ,  before  their  feet 

Humble 

*  Deity  of  Christ  eflcntial  to  Chriftianity,  p.  3. 


C    *>    ] 

(tumble  on  the  dark  mountains ;  and  although  cur 
is  of  him  are  now  infinitely  different,  that  we 
ultimately  fee  eye  to  eye,  and  unite  to  adore 
Him,  who  hath  loved  us  and  wafhcd  us  from  our 
fins  in  his  blood  ;  who  thought  it  no  robbery  to  be 
equal  with  God. 

I  do  not  mean  to  fugged,  by  any  thing  that  has 
been  faid,  that  we  are  to  expect  to  find  among 
good  men,  an  exact  agreement  in  religious  fenti- 
ment  and  practice.  They  always  have  differed 
among  themfelves,  about  fome  things  of  lefs  im- 
portance in  religion.  This  we  may  reafonably  ex- 
pect will  be  the  cafe  till  that  period  fhall  arrive, 
when  the  earth  lhall  be  filled  with  the  knowledge 
of  the  Lord, 

It  is  a  pleafmg  circumftance,  however,  that  God 
hath  raifed  up  faithful  witneffes  in  all  ages,  who 
have  agreed  in  the  moil  important  truths  of  the 
gofpel.* 

Neither  does  dwelling  together  in  unity  fuppofe* 
that  they  ihould  relinquifh  any  religious  opinions 
or  practices  that  they  believe  to  be  divine,  though 
of  comparatively  fmall  importance.  Such  a  facri- 
fice  it  would  be  uncandid  and  unreafonable  to  re- 
quire as  a  condition  of  union,  and  criminal  to 
make.  Nor  would  it  accomplifh  the  end  for  which 
it  mi^ht  be  made.  On  the  contrarv,  it  would 
create  mutual  uneafinefs.  Chriftians  would  natu- 
rally think  hard  of  each  other  for  requiring  fuch  a 

fur  render 

*  See  Bifhop  Newton  on  the  Prophecies,  Dif.  xxiv.  p.  i. 

Mr.  Totlady's  Hiiloric  Proof  of  the  Calviniiin  of  the  Church  of 

Ergl'nd,  vol.  :.  v.  149 — 212. 


[      31       ] 

furrcnder  of  confcience  ;  and  their  own  minds 
would  moft  alTuredly  condemn  them  in  a  cool  hour 
of  reflection,  for  complying  with  it.  Good  men 
mull,  at  all  hazards,  keep  a  confcience  void  of  of- 
fence, both  towards  God,  and  towards  all  men. 
What  has  been  faid  on  this  part  of  the  fubjecr.  is 
equally  applicable  to  Chriftians  of  all  denomina- 
tions. They  are  all  equally  bound  to  buy  the 
truth,  and  to  fell  it  not. 

Good  men,  then,  may  be  faid  to  dwell  together 
in  unity,  when  they  unite  in  matters  of  religion 
as  far  as  they  can  agree  ;  and  when  they  can  unite 
no  farther,  agree  to  differ,  and  to  allow  each  other 
the  liberty  they  take  of  thinking  for  themfelves. 
In  this  cafe,  there  ihould  be  no  reflections  on  each 
other  ;  no,  not  a  hard  thought  fhould  be  encour- 
aged by  either  fide,  provided  they  wifli  to  main- 
tain the  true  fpirit  of  the  gofpel,  which  allows  ev- 
ery man  to  be  fully  perfuaded  in  his  own  mind. 
But  at  the  fame  time,  let  me  repeat  it,  that  we  are 
not  permitted  to  favour  the  miftakes  of  our  Chrif- 
tian  friends,  or  to  make  light  of  any  divine  truth, 
however  fmall. 

I  add,  once  more,  that  dwelling  together  in  uni- 
ty by  no  means  fuppofes,  that  we  ought  not  to 
ufe  our  bed  endeavours  to  convince  one  another 
of  thofe  errors,  into  which  we  may  have  fallen. 
This  is  a  duty  we  owe  to  each  other,  which  ought 
to  be  performed  with  meeknefs  and  affection . 

There  are  feveral  confiderations  I  now  beg  leave 
\q  imprefs  on  t^e  minds  of  my  hearers,  that  are 

calculated 


»  ] 


calculate  J  to  promote  mutual  candour  among 
Chriflians.  The  firft  is,  We  ought  not  to  think 
that  we  ourfclvcs  only  are  confeientious  ;  but  that 
our  brethren,  who  differ  from  us,  are  as  con- 
feientious as  we  are,  and  as  anxious  to  know  and 
do  the  will  of  God. 

The  feeond  is,  that  the  difference  among  good 
men  is  mutual.  The  fault,  if  fault  there  be,  is  alfo 
mutual.     Who  then  mall  be  cenfured  ? 

The  third  confideration  is  this,  There  are  great 
and  good  men  among  the  different  denominations 
of  Chriftians.  Why  may  we  not  think  that  the 
Lord  permits  thefe  differences,  that  we  may  have 
an  opportunity  of  exercifing  that  fpirit  of  mutual 
forbearance,  fo  well  pleating  in  his  %ht,  and  fo 
beneficial    to  fociety  ? 

311.     It  remains  that  we  mew  that  it  is  good  and 
■  •at  that  brethren  dwell  together  in  unity. 

It  feems  by  the  expreffions  of  the  Pfalmifl,  as  if 
he  had  in  view,  at  the  moment,  fome  particular 
inftance  of  brotherly  love,  as  we  now  have  : — 
Behold  !  how  good,  and  hoiv  pledfant  it  is,  <kc.  See, 
as  if  he  had  faid,  its  advantages  exemplified. 

It  is  good,  as  it  is  a  Chriftian  temper,  a  love  to 
the  brethren  as  fuch  ;  and  is  perfectly  agreeable 
to  the  genius  of  the  gofpel,  which  is  love  in  its  na- 
ture and  tendency. 

It  h  good  or  plcafant,  as  it  naturally  tends  to 
promote  happinefs  among  good  men.    A  man  who 

is 


[     23     J 

Is  under  the  influence  of  this  temper,  feels  happy  in 
himfelf,  and  feeks  the  happinefs  of  others.  He  will 
be  ready  to  forgive  an  injury — to  put  the  moft 
favourable  conftruction  on  doubtful  conduct.  He 
will  be  candid  toward  thofe  Chriftians  who  differ 
from  him  ;  but  he  will  not  be  fo  compl'aifant  as 
to  facrifice  any  truth  or  duty. 

It  is  good,  that  is,  ufeful.  When  Chriftians  are 
thus  united  in  love,  they  can  accomplifh  great 
things  in  the  wTorld,  and  in  the  church.  They  en- 
courage one  another  when  called  to  do  or  fuffer 
the  will  of  God>  They  are  faid  to  provoke  one 
another  to  love  and  good  works.  They  can,  when 
united,  do  much  towards  the  relief  of  the  poor 
faints,  and  the  fupport  and  general  propagation  of 
the  gofpel.  We  have  a  pleafing  evidence  of  this 
in  the  MilTionary  Societies  in  Europe  ;  in  which  we 
find  a  moll  uncommon  union  of  Chriftians  of  dif- 
ferent denominations.  Whatever  may  be  the  iffue, 
the  union  has  been  both  furprifing  and  delightful. 
They  have  united  in  their  endeavours  to  fend  the 
gofpel  among  the  pagans,  as  a  common  caufe,  with- 
out regard  to  thofe  lefs  matters  that  diftinguifli 
them  as  denominations.  Thus  mould  it  be  with 
all  good  men.  They  mould  (land  fail  in  one  fpirit, 
with,  one  mind  ftriving  together  for  the  faith  of 
the  gofpel. 

Omitting  thofe  reflections  that  naturally  arife 
from  the  fubjecl,  I  fhall  conclude  with  an  addrefs 
to  that  church  of  Chriif  which  will,  in  future,  meet 
in  this  place  j  and  which  will  this  day  be  recog- 
nized 


[     =4     ] 

nized  in  the  moft  public  and  folemn  manner  by 
my  reverend  brother. 


Dt.ARLY    BELOVED    J.V    OUR    LORD    JESUS    CHRIST, 

IN  the  year  1665,  the  Firft  Baptift  Church  in 
Bofton,  from  which  mod  of  you  have  been  dif- 
miffed,  originated  in  this  town.  To-day  fhe  fend: 
you  back  at  your  own  defire,  in  conjunction  with 
our  friends  from  the  Second  Baptift  Church  in 
Bofton,  to  form  a  church  where  fhe  began.  But 
how  great  the  difference  between  that  period  and 
this  !  Then  the  right  of  private  judgment  was  de- 
nied ;  now  all  is  candour,  love  and  friendfhip. 
This  event  is  furely  providential :  to  human  agen- 
cy alone  it  cannot  be  afcribed. 

The  churches  you  have  left  have  difmiffed  you 
with  all  that  Chriilian  affection,  which  has  arifen 
from  a  long  and  plealing  acquaintance  with  you, 
and  from  your  conflant  endeavour  to  behave  as 
becomes  the  gofpel  :  believing,  at  the  fame  time, 
that  this  event  will  terminate  in  the  better  accom- 
modation of  yourfelves  and  families,  and  the  ad- 
vancement of  the  interefts  of  religion  and  moral- 
ity.    Go  and  profper,  and  the  Lord  be  with  you. 

Your  prefent  condition  is  new  and  intereftir.-. 
Various  duties  devolve  on  you  as  a  church  of 
Chrift.  The  firft  and  the  mo  ft  important  to  your- 
felves, your  families,  and  the  town  in  general,  is, 
the  choice  and  fettlement  of  a  minifter.  Be  not 
hafty  in  this  matter.     Be  extremely  careful  that  he 

be 


C   25   ] 

be  a  man  of  real,  of  experimental  religion — decid- 
edly in  favour  of  the  doctrines  of  grace,  fo  called  ; 
who  fhall  be  determined  to  know  nothing  among 
you  fave  Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified  ;  and 
who  will  not  Ihun  to  declare  the  whole  counfel  of 
God. 

We  mod  earneftly  pray,  that  the  great  Head  of 
the  Church  may  blefs  you  with  a  paftor  after  his 
own  heart,  who  fhall  feed  you  with  knowledge 
and  the  iincere  milk  of  the  word,  that  ye  may 
grow  thereby  ;  for  whofe  happinefs  and  fupport, 
we  are  perfuaded,  you  will  ufe  your  bed  exertions. 

In  the  admifiion  of  perfons  into  the  church,  be 
careful  to  examine  them,  both  as  to  their  experi- 
mental knowledge  of  the  truth,  and  their  lives  and 
converfation.  In  the  difcharge  of  this  part  of  your 
duty  you  will  find  a  great  difference  among  candi- 
dates for  admiffion.  Some  of  them  will  be  able  to 
give  a  clear  account  of  the  great  things  God  has 
done  for  them — others  will  come  trembling,  left 
they  fhould  eat  and  drink  unworthily  ;  and  who 
can  only  fay,  Whereas  I  was  blind,  J  now  fee.  You 
who  are  ftrong,  will  bear  the  infirmities  of  the 
weak ;  and  imitate  the  bleffed  Jesus,  who  gathers 
the  lambs  in  his  arms,  and  carries  them  in  his 
bofom  ;  who  will  not  break  the  bruifed  reed,  nor 
quench  the  fmoking  flax. 

In  the  exercife  of  the  difcipline  of  the  church, 

be*  ftricV  and  impartial.     Never  fuffer  fin  upon  a 

brother,  nor  an  unworthy  member,  knowingly* 

D  to 


/ 


[     26     ] 

to  fit  down  at  the  Lord's  table.     Keep  yourfelves 
pure. 

Live  in  love  among  yourfelves,  ftudioufly  pre- 
fcrving  the  unity  of  the  fpirit  in  the  bonds  of  peace. 
Ee  candid  towards  all  Chriflians  who  differ  from 
you.  Treat  all  men  with  affection  and  kindnefs. 
And  carefully  preferve  that  harmony  in  the  town 
and  between  the  two  religious  focieties  in  it,  which 
hath  been  fo  pleafingly  difplayed  on  the  prefent  oc- 
cafion. 

To  conclude.  How  extremely  flattering  are  the 
circum fiances  of  Charleflown  this  day.  Behold 
her  rifing,  like  the  phenix  from  her  afhes,  into  ele- 
gance, wealth  and  greatnefs.  Our  prayer  to  God 
is,  that  fhe  may  be  as  remarkable  in  future  for  her 
piety,  profperity  and  happinefs,  as  fhe  hath  been 
for  her  fuiferings  in  the  day  of  our  national  ca- 
lamity. Into  his  holy  keeping  we  commit  you  as 
a  town,  as  churches,  and  as  brethren.  Live  in 
love,  and  the  God  of  love  and  peace  will  be  with 
you.     To  him  be  glory  forever. 


AN 


ADDRESS, 


DELIVERED    TO    THE 


BAPTIST  CHURCH  in  CHARLESTOWN, 
May  12,  1 80 1, 

AT     THEIR 

PUBLIC    RECOGNITION    BY    A    COUNCIL    OF    SISTER 
CHURCHES. 

BY   THOMAS   BALDWIN,    A.  M. 

PASTOR    OF    THE    SECOND    BAPTIST    CHURCH    IN    BOSTON. 
DEARLT    BELOVED    W    THE    LORD, 

1  HE  Churches  now  convened  agreea- 
bly to  your  requeft,  by  their  minifters  and  meiTen- 
gers,  having  fully  examined  the  papers  you  have 
laid  before  them,  containing  an  account  of  all  your 
proceedings  relative  to  your  becoming  a  diftinct 
vifible  Church  ;  have  directed  me  in  their  behalf 
to  inform  you,  that  they  are  fully  fatisned  with 
your  proceedings,  and  confider  them  to  have  been 
regular  and  according  to  the  gofpel. 

They  have  alfo  examined  your  articles  of  faith, 

and  judge  them  to  contain  the  leading  and  effen- 

tiai  doctrines  of  evangelic  truth. 

We 


_M 


[      28      ] 

We  do  therefore,  in  this  public  manner,  exprefs 
our  hearty  and  entire  approbation  of  your  faith 
and  conduct,  and  wifh  you  a  rich  bleffing  out  of  the 
houfe  of  the  Lord.  We  view  you  as  a  regular 
Church  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  vefted  with 
all  the  powers  and  privileges  which  we  as  Church- 
es feverally  enjoy  ;  and  as  a  token  of  the.Chriftian 
affection  and  efteem  of  the  Churches  prefent,I  pre- 
fent  you  the  Right-Hand  of  Fellow/hip. 

By  this  fignificant  fign,  we  exprefs  the  intereft 
we  feel  in  your  happinefs  and  profperity  ;  and 
folemnly  pledge  ourfelves  to  afford  you  every  af- 
fiftance  in  our  power,  and  which  your  circum- 
ftances  may  render  neceffary  ;  not  doubting  but 
in  return  we  Ihali  receive  the  fame  from  you. 
Thefe  mutual  affurances,  dear  brethren,  arife  from 
that  long  and  intimate  acquaintance  we  have  had 
with  you.  Often  have  we  taken  fweet  counfel 
together,  and  gone  in  company  to  the  houfe  of 
God  ;  and  nothing  but  a  fenfe  of  duty  could 
have  reconciled  us  to  this  painful  partial  fepara- 
tion.  May  the  Lord  ever  preferve  our  union  and 
friendfhip. 

From  this  day  forward,  brethren,  you  will  con- 
fider  yourfelves  as  a  city  fet  on  a  hill,  which  can- 
not be  hid.  O  that  your  light  may  fo  mine  that 
others,  feeing  your  good  works,  may  glorify  our 
Father,  who  is  in  heaven. 

Much  you  have  already  experienced  of  the  di- 
vine goodnefs  in  your  proceedings,  and  much  you 
may  {till  expect,  if  you  walk  humbly  before  God, 

You 


[      29      1 

You  will  therefore  permit  mc  to  exhort  you,  to 
fludy  to  promote  that  fpirit  of  brotherly  affection, 
which  at  prefent  fo  remarkably  prevails  among 
you.  Efpecially  endeavour,  in  every  fuitable  way, 
to  ftrengthen  and  increafc  the  friendly  intercourfe 
fo  happily  fubfifting  between  you  and  the  other 
religious  Society  in  the  town. 

Your  fituation,  brethren,  is  peculiarly  interest- 
ing and  pleafant.  How  often  upon  occafions  like 
the  prefent,  have  all  the  angry  pafiions  been  excit- 
ed, and  every  difcordant  fentiment  fet  in  oppoii- 
tion  ;  by  which  means  thofe  averfions  and  preju- 
dices have  been  eflablifhed,  which  a  lapfe  of  years 
could  hardly  obliterate.  But  here,  we  behold 
nothing  but  concord,  peace  and  brotherly  affec- 
tion !  Truly  this  is  the  Lord's  doing,  and  mar- 
vellous in  our  eyes. 

The  uncommon  harmony  which  has  marked 
the  whole  feries  of  events  relative  to  your  prefent 
fituation,  cannot  fail  to  imprefs  your  hearts  with 
the  liveliefl  fentiments  of  gratitude  to  the  great 
Author  of  your  mercies,  and  lead  you  to  fee 
your  increafing  obligations  to  live  in  love  and 
peace,  fo .  that  the  God  of  love  and  peace  may 
dwell  with  you. 

As  he  who  hath  called  you  is  holy,  fo  be  ye  holy 
in  all  manner  of  converfation  and  godlinefs.  And 
that  the  beft  of  bleflings  may  ever  reft  on  you  and 
yours,  on  your  children,  and  on  your  children's 
children,  on  the  other  church  and  congregation  in 

the 


C    3°    > 

the  town,  and  on  the  whole  Ifrael  of  God,  wc 
will  now  and  at  all  times  moft  devoutly  pray. 

And   now  unto  Him  who  is  able  to  keep  you 
from  falling,  and  at  laft  to  prefent  you  faultlefs  be- 
fore the  throne  of  his  glory  with  exceeding  joy  ; 
to  the  only  wife  God  our  Saviour,  be  glory  for* 
ever  and  ever.     AMEN. 


zD&dlcaioru  <f£>umn> 

LET  flowing  numbers  fwe^y  rife, 
And  waft  our  praifes  to  the  fkies, 
For  all  the  bleffings  life  bellows, 
And  all  the  joys  the  gospel  fhows, 

Here  in  thy  courts  we  proftrate  bow, 
To  offer  up  the  folemn  vow  ; 
To  dedicate  this  sacred  place, 
And  celebrate  redeeming  grace. 

Now  may  the  King  of  Zion  hear  ! 
His  glory  in  this  house  appear  1 
And,  as  in  IfraeVs  ancient  days, 
Accept  the  offering  and  the  praife. 

Here  may  the  faints  with,  truth  be  fed, 
Pure  from  the  gofpel's  fountain  head  ; 
Here  let  the  /inner  hear  his  doom, 
And  timely  "flee  the  wrath  to  come." 

O  may  thy  Church,  in  every  place, 
Increafe  in  numbers  and  in  grace  ; 
Till  all  the  ranfom'd  millions  rife 
To  fliout  redemption  through  the  Ikies. 


/■' 


J' 


k 


I 


